Modulating Effect of PGRs on Growth and Biochemical Traits in Rice (Oryza sativa L.) under Salt Stress

An investigation was conducted to study the effect of plant growth regulators on rice (variety Sarju-52) grown under sodic conditions, during the kharifseason 2018 at the students’ instructional farm of ANDUA&T, Kumarganj, Ayodhya. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design with nine treatments and three replications, with different concentrations and modes of application of plant growth regulators (PGRs). The PGRs were applied as follows- seed priming of GA3 @25 ppm & 50 ppm and SA @ 10 ppm & 25 ppm, and foliar application of GA3 and SA, each @ 100 ppm & 200 ppm at 30 (DAT), along with untreated control. Seed priming was done for 12 hours in different concentrations of PGRs. Thirty five days old seedlings were transplanted to the field from the nursery. Observations were recorded on various growth parameters such as plant height, number of tillers, dry biomass/hill, relative water content and biochemical parameters like chlorophyll, and TSS, at 30, 60 and 90 DAT and at maturity (harvesting stage). Both seed priming and foliar application of PGRs positively influenced the growth characters, chlorophyll content, and total soluble sugars. Moreover, foliar spray of GA3 @200 ppm was found to have a more pronounced effect in improving the yield of the variety studied, among all the treatments, under sodic conditions. It can be concluded that foliar spray of GA3 @ 200 ppm is effective in improving the growth and yield of rice grown under salt stress.